The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-05-05


always kept under my pillow, to satisfy
myself that it was IN serviceable con-
dition. I then went to bed.
sT think it must have been
just after I had fallen asleep, when
awo.se with start, reused by a slight
noise near me. Holding my breath, !
listened, and distinctly heard q creaking
sound in the room, as II two boards were
being slowly parted by means Of some in
strument. The noise stopped for few
minutes, then began again, and went on
for several seconds, and stopped as before.
I had grssped my revolver and laYmo-
tionless prepared to use 1t. did notdats
to raise. an Salarm, because, for aughts1
knew, at tl1atvery moment I might be ex-
posed to some deadly weapon, which would
be used against me II attempted to sum-
mon aid. The knowledge, however, that
was armed and able to defend myself
took away the greater part Of my fear,
even while listened to that mysterious
noise. Ny belief was that two Of the
boards in the floor, or IN the WALL were
being slowly removed in order to,admit
some one into the ROOM Il was ready to
file as soon as heard q stealthy step by
my bedside, as I did not doubt that my
life would be attempted. The room was
quite dark; but if my first shot missed,
the flash from the pistol would enable nee
to take good aim with my second. Sud
denly the nature Of the sound altered,
and at last I understood how 1t was pro
duced, and knew that the window was
being slowly opened by some one outside.
No ladder was high enongh to reach from
aboat, and the th6rortghfare, which even
at night was constantly made Of the
water, rendered access by this means i'm
possible. concluded that In my absence
some one had entered my room by the
door, and at the sound of my approach
had opened the window and gone outside,
closing 1t immediately afterward. But
what vampire was this, that for more
than an hour had clung to q sill barely six
inches wide, or had poised himself at so
fearful height upon. this narrow ledgel
All these thoughts, and many more,
passed through my mind during the few
seconds that lay conscious that must
inflics or suffer instant death. Not to
speak Of the robbery, which I did not
doubt was the cause Of this mans pres
ence, escape was impossible for him except
at the expense of my life, and I believed
he would not hesitate to take it. Only q
few nights before, had I not seen my
friend with less cause struck down by an
assassinl
s1t was very dark, but at that moment,
through q rift In the, dense clouds, the
moon shed a floodof light, and for an in
stant and no longer, between myself and
the sky, silhouettehke, ! SOW distinctly
the form Of man. He held poniard In
his hand and was preparing to step into
the room. It may have been due to
imagination, but I beGeyed that also
saw the same diabolical face which I had
observed in the man who had attacked
my. friend. Without further Tefec-
ton, and almost instinctively, I
fired. Following the report of the
shot came convulsive sob, and from the
breath of cool air that suddenly passed
over my face, knew that nothing inter-
vened now between me and the night
breeze that was blowing through the
open window. sprang from bed, and,
cropping my way, found; as expected,
that the intruder had disappeared. Put
ting my hand out of the window, I could
feel that there was neither rope nor ladder
there. then closed the window. and
secured 1t. When had struck light I
saw on the sleeve of my night shirt a
damp, red stain, and knew that when I
had put my hand outside there was blood
upon the sill; but whether it had been
split by my shot or otherwise, Of course
could not tell. Sleep:was out of the ques-
tIon now,.so I dressed and remained where
Twas till it was time for me to 60 in the
morning. said nothing of what had oc-
CURED, and heard nothing of it,. nor from
that day till this has any intelligence CON-
nested withithe event ever. reached me-
Il the man 1had q poniard in hiss death
grasp, and, as is likely, was weighted with
other heavy weapons, on striking the
water he would sink like lead. could
not, however, forget my terrible expert
ence. became nervous and subject to
odd fancies, and tooka tc reading books
that treated Of the history, virtues and
baneful effects Of gems.
ssSoon afterward I resolved to retire
from business. BY far the most Important
Of my purchases in the east had been a
very valuable diamond of great weight.
It is not easy to find purchasers for stones
Of this size, as there are naturally few
who have the means and are willing to
part with the equivalent in money. This
stoneis still unsold, and lies in the care
Of my bankers Ii London. When have
disposed of it, ,thatwM be my last tram
saction of this nature. 1t is famous
diamond, and has an authentic history Of
many hundred years. It Is known to have
caused the loss Of many a Life. I have no
doubt that on account OF this jewel ! was
actually followed from India, and though
only sow him in the dark, both from his
size and features believe the plunderer
to have been native or half caste. am
also Of the belief that ere can get rid Of
this diamond, there is still misfortune in
store for me.''
had now to leave in order to change
carriages, and was not sorry to bid my
fellow traveller farewell, as he had made
me feel eerie. 80
About year later I was III Paris, and
one morning read in newspaper an ac-
count Of the sale Of the famous jewels Of
O Russian princess. Several paragraphs
farther on, I read that the body Of a mur-
dered man, who was unknown, had been
found on one Of the principal boulevards.
A short description followed, which
at once suggested to r1e my fellow
traveller of o year before, on the
Orleans railway. hastened to the morgue
and found my fears realized: for there lay
the diamond merchant, who had been fa-
tally stabbed between the shoulders. From
the information that was able to give,
1t was concluded that he would be known
to the large jewel dealers, and as the re-
suit of inquiries in snort time the body
was claimed by friends. J afterward
learned that he had been the victim Of a
deeply laid robbery, as very valuable
diamond, which it was discovered he had
brought to Paris in order to dispose of,
was missing, but his purse, which con-
tanned considerable sum Of money, and
his other valuables had been left un.
touched. Crawford Scott in Belgravia.
He Welded a Red hot Pen.
Said commercial traveller: "My busi-
ness calls me good deal to Colorado and
New Mexico, and I have many acquaint-
ances and friends out there. One OF my
friends is little fellow named McDer-
mott, editor Of q mining camp paper. he
is not much bigger than pint Of cider,
1,,,t 6o hoe doro porra pa 10 90